New Renderings Revealed for Stubby Sonata Residential Development in DTLB

A 112-unit (previously 113) multi-family residential development that is being proposed for 207 Seaside Way (or what is now the lot that sits behind the historic Breakers Building in DTLB) has revealed new renderings for its proposed project.

Playing it safe by keeping it five stories—meaning it will only reach 85-feet at its peak despite being surrounded by towering, well, towers—the Sonata project will occupy a .67-acre lot that currently serves as a more uninspiring parking lot. Speaking of parking, according to the initial study, there will be 144 on-site parking spots with an addition 32 parking spaces secured at a nearby off-site location.

According to the original plan, the ground level will have 16 apartments: 9 studios, 6 one-bedrooms, and 1 two-bedroom unit while additionally including “a 1,221 sq. ft. lobby, a 1,963 sq. ft. café, a 1,467 sq. ft. fitness center, a 4,742 sq. ft. promenade, 2,058 sq. ft. of landscaping, a media room, a mail room, and storage space,” according to the review draft.

Levels 2, 3, and 4 will host 25 apartments: 11 studios, 8 one-bedrooms, and six 2-bedrooms. Level 5 will have 22 apartents: 11 studios, 7 one-bedrooms, and 4 two-bedrooms; it will also host a 3,381 sq. ft. common space area.

The square footage of studios will range from 515 to 690 sq. ft.; one bedrooms will vary from 844 to 919 sq. ft.; and two bedrooms will run the gamut from 938 to 1,205 sq. ft.

It is unclear how the removal of a single unit will affect these specific numbers.

Perhaps the most relieving aspect of the development is how it has altered whether or not it will have ground floor retail.

Initially, the project was to harken to the historic desolation that is Seaside Way when it comes to pedestrian traffic. Cold and often quiet, the occasional car drives through and that is about it—and the former design did little to re-activate what was once one of DTLB’s most traveled-by-foot pathways. There was no ground-floor retail, public space activation, or really anything but what was eventually become vine-strewn walls and an entryway into the structure’s hidden parking.

Now, ground floor retail—fronting the elevated park is promised to be included.

11 Comments

Tonylbc says:May 1, 2015 at 1:47 am

Well I never thought it would happen, but I disagree with Brian Addison.
Aesthetically, they actually made a nice effort. I like the undulating facade. I’m all for height, but why here, crowding out the Breakers? Why not block the view of the Villa Riviera from the beach with a big ugly building while you’re at it? (cough.. Pacific Condos)
As for Seaside foot traffic… let’s face it. Seaside ceased to be Seaside when the convention center replaced the ocean. I lived down there, and any ground level retail or public space would remain desolate unless the entire stretch along the convention center were redesigned. In fact, this building may reinvigorate foot traffic by connecting the Terrace Theater to the Convention Center Walkway with the foot bridge. I used to hate taking the urine soaked stairs down from the theater to get to Pine. Let’s leave the street to the race cars and literally rise above it. Hell, make Seaside a tunnel and put a park on it.
I officially give this plan Tony’s Stamp of Approval. I’m sure they were waiting with bated breath.

Fully support ‘tunnelizing’ Seaside and capping it with a park–if it is to remain a race track in April of every year. And I still stand, none the matter, about height and increased density. Right now, we have a plethora of DTLB developments that don’t surpass five stories: Parc Broadway, Pacific Courts, the Civic Center proposed residential on 3rd, 6th Street Lofts, OceanAire, this project… But at least a handful of those have ground-floor retail to activate sidewalk space. More importantly, this space isn’t adaptable; I am not saying developments should have retail space on opening (we have a lot of empty storefronts) but should create spaces that are adaptable for the future should the need arise. Also as importantly, we need height. That being said, I agree the project isn’t totally hideous but it pretty much similar to all the previously mentioned projects–but lacking activation in key areas. I just want more Current Tower and less stubby buildings. I want a Downtown.

The Current, Parc Broadway and Edison all have retail space planned out. My ultimate issue is not directly providing the ground-floor retail but at least assuring the space is flexible enough to adapt for the future should the need arise.

Does ground floor retail exist anywhere in the area under newer residential units? It seems to be nothing but lightly disguised parking. That part of Long Beach resembles OC style “new urbanism” with single use mid-rise residential and nearby shopping mall style retail, combined with streets that are a fuck you to the pedestrian. It’s like an unpopular Bella Terra.

I noticed that the multilevel parking garage underneath a residential development on Broadway?Pacific is being rebuilt for retail and more housing? Do you know anything about this? Do you know if any of the existing residential powers in the desolate seaside area were designed for future parking to retail conversion and would existing zoning allow for it?

Wanting ground level retail does not mean there is a market for it. Along Pine, north of 4th the ground level retail continues to be unoccupied and the area kind of desolate. Putting retail on Seaside Way makes no economic sense since no one walks down Seaside. Facing it to the Performing Arts Center plaza probably wouldn’t be useful. How about they demo Breakers? Oh wait, can’t do that, historic building. I hope the development goes in as it would continue to improve the area. Forcing it to put in retail won’t make any sense.

[…] to be completed within a year, the bridge will accompany a private 113-unit multi-family residential development that is approved for the .67 acre lot that is 207 Seaside Way (or what is now the lot that sits […]